Rob
New Member
Posts: 15 
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Post by Rob on Mar 9, 2017 2:44:59 GMT
When you have the money to do so, invest in Solidworks. It's my favorite 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE software. Extremely versatile and pretty easy to learn. I am looking into Solidworks now... Unfortunately, no free trial  J That's the only downside. Take my word for it, though, it is totally worth the investment. At least check out some YouTube vids and see what the program is capable of. - Rob |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 9, 2017 2:48:23 GMT
I am looking into Solidworks now... Unfortunately, no free trial J That's the only downside. Take my word for it, though, it is totally worth the investment. At least check out some YouTube vids and see what the program is capable of. - Rob I'm currently doing exactly that! 😁 |
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 3:19:54 GMT
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 3:59:01 GMT
Yeah, I filled that form out. I haven't received any communications (email or phone) from them at all... J |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 3:59:19 GMT
It doesn't take you to a download either |
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 4:04:50 GMT
Oops, sorry. I didn't take it that far. My bad.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 4:08:29 GMT
Oops, sorry. I didn't take it that far. My bad. No worries 😁... I'm actually learning fusion 360 pretty well... Still struggling with the CAM a little bit I'll get it. Running a two bit Easel job this evening, my first two bit job. Well see how it goes... J |
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 4:31:02 GMT
I think Fusion 360 is a little too complicated for much of what I am trying to do, but Easel is too simplistic. I do like how Easel makes the transition from design to Gcode VERY easy. I am trying to figure out which CAD software I want to go with. I realize that we are in a 3D printing thread now, but I had my M3 machine up and running in less than a week, but the CAD is keeping me from making much further progress.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 4:33:53 GMT
I think Fusion 360 is a little too complicated for much of what I am trying to do, but Easel is too simplistic. I do like how Easel makes the transition from design to Gcode VERY easy. I am trying to figure out which CAD software I want to go with. I realize that we are in a 3D printing thread now, but I had my M3 machine up and running in less than a week, but the CAD is keeping me from making much further progress. I suffer a similar fate... Easel is to simple and Fusion 360 to complicated... And Vectric software way too expensive... I might go ahead and take the plunge on Solidworks.... We'll see... Going to watch some more YouTube videos and see... J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 4:50:23 GMT
If y'all don't mind me asking, what do you find complicated about Fusions CAD? I ask because I only use Fusion now and though I do agree it has a learning curve, I wonder if it's how one approaches it that makes it more complicated. Obviously solid works has a strong fan base but I've never used it so can't compare ease of use.
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 4:51:32 GMT
Vectric is pricey. I am not really sure how much Solidworks is, but not sure I want to pay for it and have it be like Fusion 360. I did see that the student version is $150 and my son is a student. I found a site selling the student version for $86/year, but sure if it is a reputable site. I know there are various references to CAD software throughout the forums, but think I may start a thread for people to provide their input on various CAD software they use.
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 5:03:41 GMT
If y'all don't mind me asking, what do you find complicated about Fusions CAD? I ask because I only use Fusion now and though I do agree it has a learning curve, I wonder if it's how one approaches it that makes it more complicated. Obviously solid works has a strong fan base but I've never used it so can't compare ease of use. In my case, I have never used a CAD software. I am not computer illiterate, just have not used this type of software. Generally speaking, Fusion 360 does not seem very user friendly. I tried to create some projects in it, but quickly abandoned them when I had difficulty trying to accomplish what I feel were simple things. I was able to use Easel very effectively for some simple things, but realized it has definite limitations. I have not spent any more time in Fusion due to several reasons, but the main reason was that I have been trying to find a different alternative. I could definitely spend more time in it, but not sure I want to devote or waste the time if I decide on another application. |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 5:08:46 GMT
If y'all don't mind me asking, what do you find complicated about Fusions CAD? I ask because I only use Fusion now and though I do agree it has a learning curve, I wonder if it's how one approaches it that makes it more complicated. Obviously solid works has a strong fan base but I've never used it so can't compare ease of use. In my case, I have never used a CAD software. I am not computer illiterate, just have not used this type of software. Generally speaking, Fusion 360 does not seem very user friendly. I tried to create some projects in it, but quickly abandoned them when I had difficulty trying to accomplish what I feel were simple things. I was able to use Easel very effectively for some simple things, but realized it has definite limitations. I have not spent any more time in Fusion due to several reasons, but the main reason was that I have been trying to find a different alternative. I could definitely spend more time in it, but not sure I want to devote or waste the time if I decide on another application. I hear ya. I was in the same boat when I got my machine. I basically started using Fusion because it was free and because it felt like using SketchUp, which I am used to, for most things. The reason I ask is like I said, I have nothing to compare too when it comes to the CNC world as Fusion is the only thing I know. One of the YouTube channels I follow for machining he uses Fusion so I've learned a bit from there and other sources as well. |
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Post by mikedpp on Mar 16, 2017 5:11:20 GMT
I just have to believe there is a more user friendly alternative to Fusion. I am probably wrong, but I am looking.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 12:55:36 GMT
If y'all don't mind me asking, what do you find complicated about Fusions CAD? I ask because I only use Fusion now and though I do agree it has a learning curve, I wonder if it's how one approaches it that makes it more complicated. Obviously solid works has a strong fan base but I've never used it so can't compare ease of use. I don't really find the CAD side of Fusion as much of a problem. But like others have stated, simple things just aren't always simple in Fusion. Some things aren't intuitive (a.k.a v-bit engraving) and somethings are way more complicated than they need to be (CAM) when compared to other products. Have you tried Vectric software? Their software is powerful AND easy to use... It also costs as much as one whole M3 machine... Have you modeled in Sketchup? Super easy to make complex models in Sketchup as compared to other software. Fusion is just counter intuitive IMHO. I'll probably still end up using it... |
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